The great chip audit, what's the best and what to look for

It would be a lie to say that we don't love a good chip here at 9Kitchen. But as with all great food debates we know that the topic of the best chip can cause some very heated arguments. So, we were thrilled when 9Honey's Jo Abi dropped by Channel 9's Today show to talk hosts Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson through the best of what's out there.

It's a tough job, but we're sure Jo had fun doing it. Check out the clip above to see Karl take on Lisa over weather Burger Rings or Twisties are better, and see if you can guess which vegetable chips they might be really sweet on.

While we don't pretend to have the ultimate answer on the best chip (it's so personal after all, and some days you feel more like a salt and vinegar than a cheesy topping), but what we do know is that working our way through them to pick a favourite would be a tasty way to spend our time. Just don't confuse your Burger Rings and Cheezels like Lisa did this morning… that could make some people very unhappy.

The potato chip audit results:

Most popular across the board – Thins plain potato chips, Smiths crinkle cut salt and vinegar, and cheese Twisties are favourites across all age brackets. These are the chips that we share with everyone, not matter your age. These are the classic family chips.

Most popular for the kids – For school age kids it's all about the Cheezels, Burger Rings and… wait for it… chicken flavoured Jumpy's (supposedly a healthier option sold at some tuckshops).

Health – This brings us to an interesting point however, which chips are best for you? While there are plenty of 'healthier' options marketed, the reality is that there's no clear winner on health stakes, so opting for something with the most recognisable (and therefore natural) ingredients is actually the best bet. As Jo points out, some of the best chips in terms of quality are the simple Thins originals because they only have three ingredients to worry about, meaning you know exactly what you're getting – potato, salt and oil. For the chips marketed as healthier options, Jo points out that some of the ingredient lists read more 'like a science experiment'.

So are vegetable chips better for you? According to Jo, while they might have healthier ingredients, when you compare calorie and fat content it's all much of a muchness really. The reality is that most (and often the best) chips are fried, so they're never going to be really good for you. And in that case, you're better off eating the ones you love and just limiting your serving. Common sense really.

Fun facts – Burger Rings are an Aussie invention, and we think that's something to be proud of.
The original potato crisp was invented in the 1950's when a short order cook was sick of patrons complaining that their chips were too soggy. In an effort to fix this he invented the crispiest chip he could, and the world has never looked back.